IMPORTANT: The course is shortened to 12 weeks and the price has been reduced to half compared to information given in the video above.

Bhaktivaibhava Course is based on methodology developed by the Vaishnava Training and Education team of devotees and has been shaped to suit on-line teaching requirements.

This is the first module covering the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam and it takes 12 weeks. We explore the topics presented there as well as the important points presented by Srila Prabhupada in his purports.

In total, there will be six modules covering the first six cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam. Bhaktivedanta College will gradually add other modules to its online classroom.

After completing the module, students will receive a Certificate of Attendance. After completing all six modules, the students will receive the Bhaktivaibhava title and a Certificate of Completion of the Bhaktivaibhava Course, issued by Bhaktivedanta College.

This interactive, online module is designed to empower you to dive deep into the nectar of Bhagavata-katha while still keeping pace with your regular daily life. This is made possible by inspiring forum discussions, exchanges with other students, and many helpful and relevant videos.

Please enrol for this course and enjoy studying the ripened fruit of the desire tree of Vedic knowledge!

The VTE’s over-arching purpose in promoting the systematic study of shastra (sacred texts). This Module introduces the VTE methodology. To facilitate a systematic, Krishna-conscious education, the VTE has developed an aims-driven (as opposed to content-driven) approach to studying shastra. Here you will find an introduction to and overview of those 12 aims of shastric study.

Each Aim for sastric study is expressed in a few words as follows. Each aim has corresponding objectives. Each aim is also denoted by a two or three letter code, as shown below. Students should try to memorize these codes.

12 Aims:

KUPP

1. Knowledge (Memory and Recall) = Kno

To help students memorise and recall the (theoretical) knowledge which forms the foundation of their ongoing progress in Krishna Consciousness.

2. Understanding = Und

To deepen students’ understanding of the Krishna consciousness theology, particularly through studying it from a wide range of perspectives and through developing thoughtfulness and introspection.

3. Personal Application = PeA

To help students apply the Krishna Consciousness theology, with reference to:

their external practices;

their inner development;

and to help them develop appropriate Vaishnava qualities and behaviour.

4. Preaching Application = PrA

To enhance devotees desire and ability to preach effectively.

FATE

5. Faith and Conviction = F+C

To help build and maintain students’ faith and conviction in:

the process of Krishna consciousness;

the sastra as its foundation.

6. Authority = Aut

To simultaneously cultivate within devotees:

wholehearted acceptance of the spiritual authority of shastra;

a mood of open and honest inquiry and a desire to factually understand and realise the import of Vedic knowledge.

7. Theological Application = ThA

To help create learned Vaishnava theologians who are expert in assisting the Society through application of sastric knowledge to a wide range of personal, social, moral, topical and theological issues.

8. Evaluation = Eva

To develop students’ analytical, interpretative and evaluative skills, particularly in respect of the practical application of sastric knowledge.

MARS

9. Mood and Mission = M+M

To facilitate devotees in:

understanding and appreciating the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada;

perpetuating that understanding within the Society and its members.

10. Academic and Moral Integrity = AMI

To ensure that devotes develop moral and academic integrity in the interpretation, evaluation and application of sastric knowledge.

11. Responsibility for Learning = RfL

To encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and develop healthy study habits by:

enhancing their desire to study Srila Prabhupada’s books (particularly by nurturing their appreciation of shastra and shastric study, and by demonstrating shastra’s relevance to everyday life);

equipping them with the appropriate learning skills.

12. Shastra Caksus = SC

To equip students with the ability to see through the eyes of shastra, and with a Krishna conscious worldview. Ultimately, to assist the students in realising scripture, and in seeing Krishna, at all times and in all places.

VTE Orientation Module for Bhakti Sastri and Bhaktivaibhava

TO ENTER THIS INTRODUCTORY MODULE YOU NEED TO TYPE IN THIS PASSWORD: ONLINESTUDY.

The VTE’s over-arching purpose in promoting the systematic study of sastra (sacred texts). This Module introduces the VTE methodology. To facilitate a systematic, Krishna-conscious education, the VTE has developed an aims-driven (as opposed to content-driven) approach to studying sastra. Here you will find an introduction to and overview of those 12 aims of sastric study.

Orientation Module: Introduction to Online Study is an open module offering an overview of the Bhaktivedanta College study methodology. It is designed to introduce students to the Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (BCOC) environment.

Future students are invited to carefully explore the Orientation Module before proceeding with any of our online programs. This module is designed to inform prospective students about our BHAKTI SASTRI Studies (BS), but all others are welcome to explore our virtual environment and in that way get to know what to expect during your studies. In the Orientation Module, you will also find general information about the BS program.

To enter VTE Orientation module you need to register at BCOC. Registration is free and to complete your enrollment on this demo module use “onlinestudy” as enrollment key.

Study Requirements and Accreditation

Although all prospective students are able to enroll in the modules on the first two cantos of Srimad Bhagavatam, we are recognizing two levels of awards for the Bhaktivaibhava degree.

I. Bhaktivedanta College Digital Attendance Certificate, which will be issued electronically at the end of each Bhaktivaibhava module. The study requirements are:

a) Watching the weekly video classes

b) Reading the assigned materials

c) Submitting homework assignments and completing quizzes

d) Being active on the forum

II. Bhaktivedanta College/VTE Bhagavatam Certificate for the study of each Bhaktivaibhava module. In addition to the above requirements, a student is required to:

e) Have a Bhakti Shastri degree.

f) Successfully pass the closed-book exams within the requested time frame.

g) Provide a recommendation letter by a local ISKCON representative.

Upon successfully finishing all the modules on the first six cantos, students will receive a VTE Bhaktivaibhava degree issued by the ISKCON Board of Examination.

Bhaktivedanta College will add modules on the other cantos to its online delivery on an annual or bi-annual basis, depending on the growth of the programs.

Although online studies offer many benefits, one of the challenges of online studying, in general, is in achieving sufficient interaction with others and cultivating verbal proficiency and skill in presenting relevant topics. Speaking more specifically in relation to our studies, there is both theological, personal, social and spiritual significance in our endeavour to present the message of Bhagavatam verbally. Srila Prabhupada doubtlessly wanted it, and he went to length to train his disciples how to present it. As ISKCON and in general as contemporary Vaishnavas, we are inescapably meeting a need to present the teachings of Krishna in a relevant and empowered way to both intelligentsia and the masses. Therefore it is essential for us to make an endeavour and do at least two short 10-20 minute presentation per Canto.

How to do it:

o assemble students for an online presentation (skype etc)
o present locally at your centre/temple/sanga and send us the recording
o present on a radio/ tv/ newspaper and send us links
o present locally at Radhadesh
o one can record powerpoint presentation
o one can do home video presentation and send the youtube/vimeo link
o record webinar session and provide the link

Learning Outcomes to be Assessed

Knowledge, understanding, and application of the philosophy contained in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Cantos 1 through 6.

Knowledge of and memorization of a defined number of verses found in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Cantos 1 through 6.

Competence as a Bhagavatam speaker and preacher.

Personal behaviour that reflects the principles and values found in Srimad Bhagavatam.

Competency in evaluating peers and receiving evaluation from peers in regard to the above-mentioned outcomes.

The final mark for each Bhaktivaibhava module is graded according to the following formula:

Attendance and Forum participation

15%

Homework questions

10%

Two 1,500 word VTE essays

20%

Two presentations on chosen topic

20%

Two closed book exams

35%

Final grades will be published approximately 30 days after the closed-book exam period is over. An Excel table with all grades will be posted to the general forum. Student has to get at least 65% in the final mark to pass the module.

Attendance

Student is expect to hear at least 70% of the classes within the planned study week.

Forum participation

It is expected that students submit at least one forum post per week.

Homework questions

One essay of max. 350 words per week.

VTE essays

The VTE essays are mandatory for passing the module. The minimum score required to pass the essays is 40% (for each essay).

Presentations

Although online studies offer many benefits, one of the challenges of online studying in general is in achieving sufficient interaction with others and cultivating verbal proficiency and skill in presenting relevant topics. Speaking more specifically in relation to our studies, there is both theological, personal, social and spiritual significance in our endeavor to present the message of Bhagavatam verbally. Srila Prabhupada doubtlessly wanted it, and he went to length to train his disciples how to present it. As ISKCON and in general as contemporary Vaishnavas, we are inescapably meeting a need to present the teachings of Krishna in a relevant and empowered way to both intelligentsia and the masses. Therefore it is essential for us to make an endeavor and do at least two short 10-20 minute presentation per Canto.

How to do it:

o assemble students for an online presentation (skype etc)
o present locally at your center/ temple/ sanga and send us the recording
o present on a radio/ tv/ newspaper and send us links
o present locally at Radhadesh
o one can record Power Point presentation
o one can do home video presentation and send the youtube/vimeo link
o record webinar session and provide the link

Closed-book exam

At the mid and end of Bhaktivaibhava Canto I module, you will be given a closed-book exam that will consist of up to 20 questions that you are required to answer within a set time limit (120 minutes). That means you are NOT allowed to consult any books or use any other source, except recalling the answers from memory, and complete your answers within approximately one and half hours.

This final closed-book exam will also include 2 or 3 questions asking you to recall verses that you are required to learn during your study. A list of all the Bhaktivaibhava Canto I verses to be memorized is here. Mid-term closed book exam will require memorization of only those verses learned during the period before examination.

To ensure that closed-book system is honored you are requested to provide us the name of a proctor who will sit with you while filling out the on-line exam.

Before attending the exam every student and proctor needs to be familiar with the Proctor Guidelines. The closed-book exam should be written within two week after the module is finished. Those who fail the closed-book exam (achieving a score of less than 65% percent) will be given a second chance. Of course, that will be a different exam.

Final grade

If student is not satisfied with the mark s/he got for a particular part of the assessment, one should do the following:

contact tutor to get clarification

if there is no agreement achieved between the students and tutor regarding the mark, internal monitor marks again the disputed part of the assessment. Mark given by internal monitor is final.

Registration

Bhaktivaibhava Canto I can be attended without special requirements. By clicking “Enrol this module” you will be redirected to Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus, where you will proceed with registration and payment only for this module. The Paypal fee is €199 fully inclusive.

Additional benefits of enrollment

With the registration for Bhaktivibhava Canto I module, one is entitled to few benefits:

Student, or someone else gifted by the student, can take the first upcoming Disciples Course free of charge (person’s name and BCOC username should be sent to secretary@bhaktivedantacollege.com if you wish to use this opportunity!

Bhaktivaibhava Canto I graduate can apply for TRS program without paying the application fee of €50.

As a special gift…

…we will immediately send you two breathtaking audio CDs recorded by the Bhaktivedanta College students!